Huu…
Yamamoto Genryusai let out a long breath.
He looked at the wall that had vanished into thin air and murmured, "Still rusty."
"It actually took so long."
After speaking, he turned to look at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, "Ikotsu is the strongest punching technique I have mastered, and it also has no one to inherit it."
"Because its mastery requires extremely high physical prowess and exceptionally strong bone tolerance."
"Neither Ukitake nor Kyōraku qualify, but I believe you can."
"If I recall correctly, your pure strength is even subtly above mine…"
"In other words, if you can master it, the power of your Ikotsu might even surpass mine."
It had been tested before; Tsugikuni Yoriichi's physical prowess was arguably the strongest within the Seireitei.
Although he didn't know how he achieved it, it was a fact.
Yamamoto Genryusai once lamented that if Tsugikuni Yoriichi specialised in Hakuda like Yoruichi Shihouin, one day in the future, he might be able to punch a Vasto Lorde to death with his bare hands.
But unfortunately.
His swordsmanship talent was far greater than his Hakuda talent.
It would be too regrettable if such a genius could not inherit his legacy.
As Captain-Commander, his duty was to protect the Soul Society and the Seireitei.
To this end, during his tenure, he needed to cultivate and discover more strong individuals.
Yoriichi paused, recalling the scene reflected in his eyes just now, and realised that the requirements for mastering Ikotsu far exceeded Fuzan.
Fuzan only required controlling Reiatsu, making it condense like silk.
Ikotsu, however, involved both controlling and exploding Reiatsu, turning it into a drill-like bomb.
Penetrating damage only required a single point of explosion.
The killing stone, on the other hand, distributed all that damage, which is why it crumbled into powder.
But no matter what, it was an extremely difficult operation.
Wanting to learn it immediately was indeed somewhat challenging.
Thinking this, he slowly said, "Understood, Teacher."
"What's the deadline?"
"One month. I'll give you one month. If you can master one of them, it counts as passing."
Although no one had learned it so far, Yamamoto Genryusai would not lower his standards because of it.
In his opinion, mastering the rudiments counted as success.
He didn't expect Tsugikuni Yoriichi to fully learn it within a month either.
Jūshirō Ukitake and Kyōraku Shunsui studied for three hundred years and eventually gave up.
Because they felt it wasn't suitable for them; as dual-wielders, neither sword drawing techniques nor fist techniques matched them.
Thus, they ultimately chose other combat methods from Genryu.
Ikotsu and Fuzan were thus shelved, which made Yamamoto Genryusai very uncomfortable.
Before, he had never thought that one day, the abilities he had mastered would have no one to inherit them.
He hoped this disciple would be more capable; otherwise, he was very worried about whether he could take on a fourth disciple before he died…
With these thoughts, the lesson concluded.
In the afternoon, Yamamoto Genryusai went to the Reiatsu Academy.
He found Kensei Muguruma, who was working part-time as a Hakuda teacher for sixth-year students at the Spiritual Arts Academy.
As the ninth division captain, his Hakuda skill was second only to Yoruichi Shihouin; there would be a time when he would be useful in the future.
When Kensei Muguruma saw the Captain-Commander arrive, he quickly paused the lesson and let the students practice on their own.
As he walked out of the classroom, a soundproofing barrier was set up.
Before he could speak, he heard Yamamoto Genryusai say:
"Kensei Muguruma, do you have any thoughts of changing divisions?"
??
Two question marks appeared above his head; he found it difficult to understand the current situation.
Wearing a sleeveless vest, Kensei Muguruma momentarily suspected he had misheard.
Change divisions?
Kensei Muguruma took a deep breath, his muscles subtly bulging with his inhale.
He tentatively said:
"Captain-Commander, could it be that another division has encountered a problem and needs my Ninth Division to fill in?"
"If that's the case, I can introduce someone to you."
Seemingly not hearing the latter part of his sentence, Yamamoto Genryusai continued on his own:
"The Eleventh Division Captain is suspected to have died in Hueco Mundo, and the Twelfth Division Captain left today, promoted to Royal Guard."
"Yoruichi Shihouin once recommended someone to me; if nothing unexpected happens, the Captain assessment will begin in five days."
"But, the position of Eleventh Division Captain is still vacant."
"You excel at Hakuda, and I believe you are very suitable for this position."
"What about the Ninth Division?"
Kensei Muguruma was quite helpless.
Although this was the Captain-Commander's order, he still didn't understand.
He didn't even know what the current situation was. How did the Eleventh Division Captain die?
And died in Hueco Mundo…
A dignified Kenpachi.
Couldn't even defeat a Hollow?
"As for the ninth division captain position, I have my own considerations. If Gojoshibe Kenpachi is not dead and returns someday, we will discuss other matters then."
"However, now, I ask you, what do you think of the Eleventh Division Captain position?"
Yamamoto Genryusai asked earnestly, his tone unreservedly serious.
Even Kensei Muguruma couldn't help but tense up.
It was very frustrating.
The incident happened so suddenly that he could only say:
"Good, very good, very brave, all are members of the Gotei 13."
"If this is your order, Captain-Commander, then I can only obey."
"When?"
"One month."
"One month?" Kensei Muguruma had never heard of such a long preparation time.
Normally, wouldn't the reassignment of Captains be completed within just three days?
At most, a week…
Although this timeframe had deeper meaning, Kensei Muguruma was too lazy to delve into it.
Because what needed to be known would eventually be known, and knowing what shouldn't be known brought no benefit.
Sighing, he indicated his understanding.
Then he turned and returned to the classroom to continue teaching.
At this moment, an instructor walked over and asked, "Captain-Commander, tomorrow is the graduation assessment. What do you think?"
Yamamoto Genryusai gave him a faint glance:
"Let those Captains discuss it themselves. My First Division has its own people to screen them. If there's nothing else, you may withdraw."
He hadn't actively recruited Shinigami for the First Division in a long time.
The graduation assessments usually involved him giving a speech for a few hours, then letting those below him handle the rest.
Even if a genius appeared, someone would specifically report it to him to prevent them from being overlooked.
After the instructor withdrew, Yamamoto Genryusai left the Reiatsu Academy.
On the way, he instructed Chōjirō Sasakibe to go to the Maggot's Nest and release Kenpachi Oni Yanma.
In the evening.
A piece of news, intentionally spread, reached all corners of the Seireitei.
Kenpachi Oni Yanma defeated the former Vice-Captain, now temporary Captain, of the Eleventh Division, and was instantly appointed as the new Eleventh Division Captain, known as Kenpachi Oni Yanma.
Leaving the school and returning to his division barracks, Kensei Muguruma heard this news and couldn't help but be stunned for a long time, understanding the Captain-Commander's actions even less.
However, Yamamoto Genryusai was quite pleased.
The matter was done, and if nothing unexpected happened, the future should unfold as he envisioned.
However, an unexpected event did occur.
On the third day after the news broke.
A Rukongai resident named Zaraki Kenpachi forcibly broke into the Seireitei, and while everyone was unprepared, he defeated the newly appointed Kenpachi Oni Yanma in one fell swoop.
He set the record for the fastest Kenpachi death in history.
Three days!
As the news spread, everyone was dumbfounded.
Except for…
Yoriichi and Yamamoto.